Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Come one come all (adults only) to Troop 911's annual trip to the Border!

Yes, now is your chance to sign up to for Scout Troop 911 Las Vegas Border Turn-around Fundraiser!Our luxury bus coach(es) will leave from Northridge on Saturday, May 9th, at 6:30 am, to the California/Nevada border where we will stop for the day at Whiskey Pete's, Primm Valley and Buffalo Bills. Upon arrival, there is a free buffet lunch included. While you are there, you can visit the casinos, shop at the fantastic outlet malls, catch a movie, or ride a roller coaster.

Along the way there, you will be pampered with refreshments.There will be prizes, games, and giveaways, and a ton of fun to be had by all.

We return back to Northridge at approximately midnight, Saturday May 9th, 2008.

Please RSVP to Sue Sanders at sanderssue@yahoo.com - We already almost have one bus full and will start on another luxury coach so everyone can go who wants to go. By the way, if your troop needs a great idea for a fund raiser, this is a great one... so send a few of your committee members with us so they can see how it is done and have fun too!Don't miss this trip!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. (April 28) -- A 17-year-old Eagle Scout lost for three nights around the highest mountain in the Northeast was found safe and well Tuesday.

Fish and Game Dept. Major Tim Acerno said rescuers were bringing Scott Mason down to safety.

Mason, of Halifax, Mass., headed up Mount Washington early Saturday and was planning to hike 17 challenging miles in one day.

The 6,288-foot mountain is notorious for its unpredictable and often treacherous weather, including the highest surface wind speed ever recorded on Earth - 231 mph.

Searchers had been following intermittent boot tracks consistent with someone who was disoriented or lost, Acerno said.

Acerno said searchers in six teams of four were using ropes and temporary bridges as they approached the area from two directions, but were having difficulty moving in waist-deep, soft snow.

Acerno said the unusually warm, humid weather worked for and against Mason - searchers weren't worried about hypothermia, but they said the melting snow had led to high rivers that would be difficult for him to cross.

Mason's family were gathered at the visitor center, studying a terrain model of the White Mountains as Acerno communicated by radio with rescuers.

Friday, April 24, 2009

We are working on an extremely ambitious program to increase the membership for every Unit in our District. We are attempting to reach every home with a child that is of Scout age within the borders of our District. This will be done via a postal recruitment mailer. This mailer will promote the Scouting program and guide prospective families to the units in our area. There are many thousands of families in our area and a huge percentage of them have no idea there is a Boy Scout program in their backyard. We want to let them know Scouting is alive and well and we are inviting them to check us out.

As you can imagine there will be thousands of flyers to mail. The major hurdle to cross in this huge effort is the printing of the flyers. We are looking for anyone who may be able to donate their printing services and/or materials, or at worst offer a "Scout friendly" price. If you are not able to help with the entire printing, we would be grateful what you can. If we cannot obtain some help with the printing, we will be forced to curtail the mailer to a small portion of our area, or possibly not be able to send at all. Please pass this along to everyone in your unit or anyone else you think may be interested.

If you are able to help, or you can refer someone who can help, or would like more information on what is needed, please contact me via email at pauloliver1@sbcglobal.net or phone at (818) 845-0773. We think this is a fantastic way to reach families and provide them the opportunity to put their child into the finest program for youth that there is.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Auxiliary supports the Coast Guard's overall mission in all areas except law enforcement, more specifically in the areas of boating safety, public education and search and rescue operations. Auxiliarists must complete special training programs to participate in safety patrols, boat crew training, coxswain training. Auxiliary specialty courses in patrols, weather, navigation and search and rescue prepare Auxiliarists to perform patrols and when necessary, search and rescue missions. Auxiliarists conduct safety patrols for the specific purpose of locating and/or helping persons and boats in distress. In most cases, auxiliary safety patrols work for a Coast Guard Operational Commander. In other cases, the Auxiliary are the only Coast Guard presence the public ever sees and may not have a local Coast Guard Operational Commander.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Councilman Greig Smith and the Valley Interfaith Council are joining together to ask everyone who has healthy fruit trees in their yards to pick the fruit, and to please deliver the fresh fruit to participating fire stations in Sherman Oaks or Encino.

They will, in turn, distribute all fruit to meal programs and food banks around the San Fernando Valley.

Indeed, Many Paths World Service has an abundant orange tree just waiting to be plucked.

All fruit must be washed and packed up in plastic bags.

We'll be picking our orange tree from 2 - 4PM on May 1st.

If you have the following, please help us to help others: fruit picker, gloves, plastic bags.

Feel free to bring your home-picked fruit with you and we'll deliver it for you.

Please join us for an afternoon of fun and service. And, yes, you may invite your friends.

Many times, our youth in Scouting grow up to do important things. My son, Eagle/Vigil Honor Scout Sam Karp, is one of those young people. (Of course I am very proud of him and of all Scouts who grow up in our program to become the kinds of people we want them to be.)

At UCLA, Sam is volunteering for an important program supporting the needs of children in families in which a parent has or has had cancer. He is volunteering for Camp Kesem. He will be a camp counselor there this year. His character and skills, molded by Scouting, helped him get there.

The UCLA Kesem program provides not only a place for these often overlooked children in a supportive, free, sleep-away camp environment for a week, it also gives UCLA undergraduates the opportunity as volunteers to plan the entire camp, learn about fundraising (see below), organize, outfit, staff, and run the camp.

This is not very different from what we do in Scouting, but at a higher level and focused on another population segment of our community.

I just wanted you to know that this is where our program leads our young people.

Please join me in applauding/supporting/thanking all of our Scouts who grow up to do important things.

David I. KarpProud Dad

PS If you know of other exemplary efforts of our BSA youth or alumni, please feel free to send me the information. We should share our successes!

Send a kid to Camp Kesem!

Camp Kesem is a free, one week, college student run summer camp for kids with a parent who has (or has had) cancer. I will be volunteering as a counselor this summer and would like your help in making this camp a success. It costs us $500 to send a child to Camp Kesem, and we want to be able to make this free for the families. Camp Kesem is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization and donations are tax-deductible.

This is the most important opportunity for our Scouts to get the leadership training they need.This training is only presented once each year. Now is the time to sign up.

Presented here at our newly improved Camp Josepho in the Santa Monica Mountains.Meals will be prepared by our staff and will include some great Dutch Oven cooking (with some instruction on how to...)NYLT is offered this year July 12 - 17.The cost is $290. For Scouts in need, some financial help may be available.

Our goal is that each Scout will "Be Prepared" to help with the leadership and training as he returns to his own troop.Our staff leads by example. Most of our staff are Eagle Scouts. Many of them are Senior Patrol Leaders or ASPLs from successful troops.

We have a new Boy Scout Troop 712 and Pack 712 just starting at Our Lady of Peace Church in North Hills. They serve many lower income families. If anyone out there has any experienced Scout Uniforms, or other Scout related items to donate, they would be greatly appreciated as these new units try and get off the ground.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Kinnus, the annual campout sponsored by the Jewish Committee on Scouting on each Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend, is now open for registration! The event will take place at beautiful Camp Josepho in the Santa Monica Mountains just 30 minutes from the 405 at Sunset Boulevard.

Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos, Boy Scouts, Venturers, Girl Scouts, and their families are invited to experience Jewish Scouting including a full slate of activities, merit badges, campfire, and Kosher food. Jewish Scouts of all denominations (and other Scouts) and their families are invited.

The cost is still an unbelievably low $30 per person if payment is received on or before May 7 ($40 if after). This includes free Kosher meals, a campfire snack, and all camping and programming fees. It's a terrific vacation value not to mention a great intersection of Scouting and Jewish values.

Please see the flyer for full details and the registration form. Each year over 200 persons join this wonderful event; I hope you will be among them in 2009!

Happy Passover to all, Jeff

P.S.:

As in years past, we will offer a traditional Shabbat campout from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. This year however registration is being handled by Stan Friedman who can be reached at Friedman03@aol.com

As in years past, we will offer an "Ordeal." Please contact Sanford Weinberg at sanford@techtalk.net for more information and registration.

We provide communications for families and law enforcement agencies via radio and satellites during natural and major disasters throughout the Los Angeles County Area.

We also maintain a business band frequency that can also be used during day to day emergencies such as traffic accidents requiring medical assistance.

We are looking for individuals who enjoy communicating on a two-way radio and helping the community at the same time.

To be a member, you:

Must reside in the Los Angeles County Area

Must be willing to obtain a GMRS license

Must be willing to respond to call outs in your local community (to the best of your ability)

Must have or be willing to purchase a UHF radio 450-470MHZ (we can assist with providing)

Mission Statement:We will provide public service communications to individuals, organizations, and government agencies to save lives, prevent injuries, and give assistance wherever and whenever needed.

If you are interested, please check out our website, or you can give us a call at (818) 200-8387 or (323) 360-5197.

Scouts can work on their Communication Merit Badge requirements and possibly more!

Join the team of Many Paths World Service volunteers as we come together to serve the Earth in our assigned portion of Balboa Park in Encino. It's been a lot of fun to clean up neighborhoods around LA and we decided we should lead a dedicated group during the Season for the Earth.

Our rivers and oceans need your help now more than ever! Check out the ABC News report on the work of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation and the amount of plastic debris that travel through waterways like the L.A. River and end up in OUR OCEANS! The Great LA River CleanUp takes place on two days at many different sites along the mighty LA River and its tributaries.

Monday, April 6, 2009

In an effort to show reverence and respect to our fallen heroes, as well as to conduct ourselves in a manner befitting the Scouting Organizations we serve, the following rules and guidelines are to be observed by all who participate:

Adults and Senior Scouts should instruct any of the youth for whom they are responsible as to the rules and guidelines, and should be aware of and correct any misbehavior that may occur.

Participants should walk, not run in or around the Cemetery grounds.

Participants should be respectful of the Cemetery, its Staff and other Scouts.

Do not climb, sit or stand in or on trees, poles, monuments and/or the cannon.

Quiet service is a worthwhile goal, there should be no unnecessary noise.

Food should not be brought onto the Cemetery grounds. Bottled water is the only refreshment allowed. There should be no coolers, coffee, donuts, etc.

The Cemetery is not a park or playground. Balls, Frisbees, AirSoft Guns, handheld computer games, music devices and other electronics are prohibited.

Flowers should be respected and not picked. Do not throw anything.

Pets or animals are not to be brought onto the Cemetery grounds with the only exception provided for a Seeing Eye Dog or other assistant to humans.

Respect the flags you will be given. Treat them with great care. Protect them and keep them in the Cemetery.

Please assign one or two Scouts or an Adult Leader from your unit to pick up flags at a flagbox nearest to your assigned area. You will be issued 1 or 2 bundles per person participating with your unit.

Distribution of the flags will be done in an organized and orderly manner; please respect the Scouts and Cadets who will be issuing the flags. There should be no fighting for nor hoarding of the flags.

This is neither a race nor a contest. Please walk slowly and deliberately from grave marker to grave marker.

When you are ready to place the flag, address the grave marker, read the name(s) of the person(s) buried there, place the flag directly in front of the grave marker so that the flag is between you and the grave marker.

The flag should be placed 2 inches firmly into the ground and 1 foot in front of the grave marker taking care that the flag stands straight and true.

Only one flag should be placed at each grave marker regardless of how many names are on the grave marker.

Once the flag has been placed stand up, observe a moment of silence, salute.

Once your area has been completed, please report back to the sign in area so that you can be checked out and receive further instructions.

We will be doing Flag Retrieval as well, Tuesday May 26th thru Friday May 29th, 2:30pm - 5:30pm. Eric Singer is heading that up and can be reached at (310) 839-9985 for further info.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

The High Adventure Team has two adult Scout leader courses coming up in May.

On May 2nd, you can attend you the all-day Desert Awareness course... for the last time this year, you do not need Basic Background as a prerequisite. Next year, you will need Basic Backpacking first. All day, with the optional overnight, you will also earn the Red Rock Canyon patch. If we have our normal HAT staff, we will have nine Silver Beavers and five potential Silver Beavers teaching you.

And in the evening, we will be offering the Astronomy seminar. For the $15, you will a Astronomy CD, the medium star glazer and the Astronomy stripe.

We will also offering the Outing Leader course for Cub Leaders and non-backpacking, car-camping Scout Leaders on May 16. Learn how to safely lead an outing and check out the non-backpacking patches on the HAT website.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

We have been given a 1/2 day fishing trip for 2 people at the famous H & M Landing in San Diego. Trip includes rod rentals. Value of the trip is $104. This is a great opportunity to take your Scout out on the water and see if he likes ocean fishing. If anyone out there would like it we will let it go for a donation of $30 to BSA. If you are interested email me back at pauloliver@sbcglobal.net First come, first fishin'...

Friday, April 3, 2009

If you've never been to Philmont, you've missed one of the highlights of Scouting.

Philmont Scout Ranch, in the Northeast corner of New Mexico, is comprised of thousands of acres of Scout land in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where Scouts from throughout BSA gather for high adventure long-term hiking along wonderful trails in the outback.

But that's not all.

Others, like you and me, go there to the Philmont Training Center, for outstanding week-long national training programs, that attract the most interesting and committed Scouters from throughout the country.

And you can bring the family. I did. While I was in class, my wife spent the time with other spouses sightseeing and doing other fun stuff.

And my son! Too young at the time for the long term hikes, he spent the week with other young Boy Scouts horseback riding, hiking, going on overnights, and having a great time. You can imagine. The BSA really does know how to entertain and enrich the lives of our youth, and ourselves.

And, we had a family day off together for sightseeing or whatever.

Why do I tell you this?

Well, there's an opportunity to enjoy all of the foregoing, and to be better informed and more inspired, by enrolling in any of the following relationships courses, as applicable to your situation:

Week 3: June 21-27Bringing Youth to Christ though a Baptist Scouting MinistryReligious Emblems for Units and DistrictsScouting in Religious OrganizationsScouting in the Catholic ChurchScouting Serves the Jewish CommunityUnited Methodist Scouter's Workshop

To Chartered Organization Representatives (CORs) and all other interested individuals,

As Relationships Chair for Western Los Angeles County Council, it is my pleasure to announce the Council's newly planned Chartered Organization Representative Conference and Reception, now set for Thursday, April 30, 2009, from 7-9 PM, at our Council's Anna Ruggieri Service Center in Van Nuys.

Not simply a "training session," this is an opportunity for participants to improve their understanding of the Chartered Organization Representative position in order to enhance the working relationship of the scout unit and the chartered organization ... for the betterment of both.

If you are receiving this email but are not a COR, please pass this message and the flyer along to your COR, to other unit leaders and even to interested clergy, lay religious leaders, club presidents or other community organization leaders working with your Scout unit, all of whom are welcome to join us.

Come spend an evening with us, and bring your interested colleagues, and learn why the Chartered Organization Representative is perhaps the most important, and least understood, position in Scouting.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Venture Crew 122 is a local Crew, chartered in the Monterey Bay Area and San Francisco Bay Area Councils, whose specialty is leadership training.

Each year Crew 122 organizes a week long leadership camp called White Stag. Through the cooperation of Troop 122 and Learning for Life group 122, the White Stag camp opportunity is made available to all boys and girls ages 11-18.

The Crew membership meets on a monthly basis throughout the year to plan and develop this exciting week of leadership training.

The camp dates are August 2nd to August 8th, 2009. A camp orientation will be held on Saturday May 16th, 2009.

Applications to participate in the week long training are currently being accepted, please see the attached application for complete details.

Please forward the flyer to all age-eligible young men and women who you think would be interested in being part of this unique and exciting opportunity.

Feel free to contact me at tony@whitestag.org or by replying to this email. You can also call our camp reservation line at 1-800-559-3188.

They have a Scout program that provides a 45% discount off of their retail price.

As they do not have stores that sell their equipment locally, they will sell direct.

The tents are well made, sturdy, and made to withstand the abuse of young Scouts.

We purchased 10 a year ago and are adding another 7 as our troop grows.

While not light weight tents, we purchased the Taurus 3 Outfitter with reinforced floors, heavier poles and stronger zippers.

They also sell light weight backpacking tents that compare to name brand.

The tents are better made and already lower cost. Add the discount and these are great bargains I thought you might like to send the attached info on for other Scouts as another source for good equipment.

New Dialing RulesStarting on Saturday, April 18, all phone calls from within the "818" area code will require the caller to first dial "1 + area code," even when calling other "818" numbers. Details, call the Area Code Hotline at (866) 340-6147.

Property Assessment SeminarThe County Assessor's office will offer a seminar in Van Nuys at the Bernardi Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Ave., Wednesday, April 22, 2 p.m. Parking is free, entrance on Hamlin Street. Visit the Board of Supervisors web site for more details or call (213) 974-4240.

Neighborhood WatchThe next meeting is 7 p.m., Thursday, April 23, at St. John Eudes Church, 9901 Mason Ave.